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Learning To Read Arabic
Learning To Read Arabic
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Language Centre
Prepared By
Dr Mahjoob Zweiri
Introduction
As a student learning Arabic in a Languages for All class, you have the opportunity to
learn and practice the language in oral situations. As with all languages, to make
significant progress, you need to encounter and practice the language outside the
classroom, ideally in real life situations with native speakers but most institutions have
Open Access centres which offer a wide range of materials for practice. Arabic presents
the added difficulty of a different alphabet and writing system and classroom time is not
sufficient for more than a brief introduction.
This booklet has been designed to help you learn Arabic writing independently by
guiding you through the resources available in the Open Access and on the web, in a step
by step approach organised in manageable units, each offering:
- Exercises on the page with accompanying tape/CD (written answers at the end of
the booklet, oral answers on the tape/CD)
- End of unit tests (written answers at the end of the booklet, oral answers on the
tape/CD)
This guide provides plenty of references to materials for each unit. The exercises can be
very similar and appear repetitive. However this has two advantages:
- the repetition on a different format or simply a different layout gives you the
opportunity to memories the script
- if you are working in another institution where different resources are available,
you can still use the guide: simply skip the exercises which refer to non-available
materials
2
Contents
Introduction 2
Contents 3
Unit 1: أبت ث 7
Individual letters and their position in a word
Combining letters
Numbers 1 to 10
Unit 2: جحخ 12
Numbers 11 to 30
Unit 3: دذرز 17
Numbers 31 to 50
Unit 4: سشصض 21
Numbers 51 to 60
Unit 5: ط ظع غ 25
Sentences
Numbers 61 to 70
Unit 6 فق ك ل م 31
Numbers 71 to 85
Unit 7 ن و ي 36
Numbers 86 to 100
Key 40
Useful Links 46
Resources 48
3
Introduction to the Arabic language
The Arabic Language is spoken in more than 22 countries, from Morocco to Egypt and
throughout the Arabian Peninsula. It is the first language of over 190 million people, and
at least another 35 million speak Arabic as a second language.
Arabic belongs to the Semitic family of languages, and, like Hebrew, is written from
right to left. It is also the language of Islam, one of the world's major religions, and has a
literary tradition that dates back to the days of Mohammed in the 7th century. In fact, the
spread of Islam transformed the regions of Northern Africa and the Middle East into
Arabic-speaking areas within a century of its founding. In later centuries, Arabic was
spoken in parts of Europe and Asia following additional Arab conquests.
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the official language throughout the Arab world,
and in its written form it is relatively consistent across national boundaries. MSA is
used in official documents, in educational settings, and for communication between
Arabs of different nationalities. However, the spoken forms of Arabic vary widely, and
each Arab country has its own dialect. Dialects are spoken in most informal settings, such
as at home, with friends, or while shopping. Of all the spoken dialects, Egyptian Arabic is
the most widely understood, due primarily to Egypt's role as the major producer of
movies and TV programs in the Arab world.
Learning Modern Standard Arabic can be challenging. The sound system is completely
different from Germanic and Romance languages. Arabic pronunciation includes a
variety of distinctive guttural sounds that are formed in a different way to most words in
European languages. Arabic grammar, however, is relatively straightforward. There are
only two verb tenses, and Arabic verbs are regular in conjugation. There are cases for
Arabic nouns, but only three: nominative, genitive, and accusative. These aspects of the
language compensate for some of the difficulties non-native speakers may experience
when learning Arabic pronunciation and reading.
The Arabic writing system is quite different from the English system. The Arabic
alphabet consists of 28 letters that change shape depending on their position within a
word and the letters by which they are surrounded. Some Arabic letters must be
connected to other letters; others may stand alone. Arabic vowels are indicated by marks
above and below the consonants, but in some texts such as newspapers and magazines,
these marks are omitted. Additionally, there are no special forms, such as the use of
capital letters in English, to indicate proper nouns or the beginning of a sentence. A good
way to begin learning Arabic is by learning the Arabic alphabet and the rules that govern
spelling. After all, Arabic writing is more than just a system of communication; it is
considered to be an art form.
4
The Arabic Alphabet
5
24.Miim m as in make م
25.Noun n as in none ن
26.Haa’ h as in Honey
27.Waaw w as in way و
28.Yaa’ y as in yell ي
By working through the units in this booklet, you will become familiar with
the Arabic letters and how to write words from these letters.
6
Unit One
أ ب ت ث
Aliff أ
Baa ب
Taa’ ت
Thiaa ث
2. Go to Breakthrough Arabic
Read p. 34
3. Go to http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArabicTutor/EngFrmset.htm
Click on ‘letters’ and see these letters.
4. Go to; www.arabic2000.com/arabic/alphabet.html
Click on 'Arabic alphabet.
Find these letters and click on each of them to listen to their name.
6. Use tape ' al-Arabiyya’ ', available in the Open Access, part 1.
Listen carefully and repeat:
7. Go to Alif Baa
Do drill 13 & 14 pp. 25-25, use CD number 1 to listen.
7
9. You can now practice writing these letters too:
..................................................................................................... أ
.................................................................................................... ب
................................................................................................. ت
................................................................................................. ث
When you have finished the line, read it.
13. The letters from this unit combine to make a few words in the Arabic
language:
Listen to tape ' al-Arabiyya’ ' and practice reading the words above
8
14. Find the letters أبت ث in these sentences:
.ر%!'( ا(ذا*) ا#!+ -
.-' أ.ﺏ اﺏ%" -
./01) أ23%45 ا6!+ -
.ر%7 ﺏ89:5 ا-
15. Now try to read these words:
. !" < ﺏ,%!+, ب%ﺏ, ب%",ب%+ ,ت% ﺏ,%" , ﺏ, ;+ , % ﺏ, أب-
16. Rewrite these words:
ARABIC NUMBERS
23. Go to tape ' al-Arabiyya’ ' and practice reading these numbers:
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THESE LETTERS AND NUMBERS,
LEAVE AT LEAST ONE DAY GAP AND DO THE TEST OVERLEAF.
9
Test
Unit 1
ت ا ب ث أ
2. Which word can you make by combining the following letters? Write it, read
it and say what it means:
.................................................................................. = ب+ا+ث-
................................................................................. = ب+أ-
(3 points for each word: 1 for writing, 1 for reading and 1 for vocabulary)
3. Can you write and say the word corresponding to each of these pictures?
(3 points for each picture: 1 for writing, 1 for reading, 1 for vocabulary)
1- 2-
10
3-
11
Unit Two
ج ح خ
Jiim ج
H’aa’ ح
X’aa خ
1. Go to Very Simple Arabic Script
Read pp. 15-18
2. Go to www.arabic2000.com/arabic/alphabet.html
or
www.cafe-syria.com/Alphabet.htm
and click on the letters to hear their names
3. Go to http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArabicTutor/EngFrmset.htm
Click on ‘letters’ and see these letters.
............................................................................................................................ ج
............................................................................................................................ ح
............................................................................................................................ خ
12
9. Find the letters ج ح خin these sentences:
. ا
ی-
." ! ا
ب#$ -
. % %&
ا-
.* و
* )(دب, أﺡ-
../ ﺥب-
.ل,
د ا$ ا-
10. The letters from this unit combine with those of unit 1 to make words in the
Arabic language:
Listen to tape ' al-Arabiyya’ ' and practice reading the words
13
ARABIC NUMBERS
19. Go to : tape ' al-Arabiyya’ ' and practice reading these numbers:
22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23
WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THESE LETTERS AND
NUMBERS, LEAVE AT LEAST ONE DAY GAP AND DO THE TEST
OVERLEAF.
14
Test
Unit 2
.................................................................................. = ج+ا+ح
................................................................................ = ب+ا+خ
............................................................................... = د+ح+أ
............................................................................... = ر+ب+خ
3. Can you write and say the word corresponding to each of these pictures?
(3 points for each picture: 1 for writing, 1 for reading, 1 for vocabulary)
1- 2-
15
3-
16
Unit Three
د ذ ر ز
Daal د
Thaal ذ
Raa’ ر
Zaay ز
2. Go to www.arabic2000.com/arabic/alphabet.html
or
www.cafe-syria.com/Alphabet.htm
and click on the letters to hear their names
3. Go to http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArabicTutor/EngFrmset.htm
Click on ‘Letters’ and see these letters
4. Go to http://www.i-cias.com/babel/arabic/001.htm
Click on 'writing part three' and see how these letters are written.
17
8. You can now practice writing these letters too:
............................................................................................................................. د
............................................................................................................................. ذ
............................................................................................................................. ر
.............................................................................................................................. ز
18
12. Rewrite these words:
16. Go to http://www.islamicschool.net/firstStepsGame.htm.
Do level 1, lesson 1
ARABIC NUMBERS
18. Go to tape ' al-Arabiyya’ ' and practice reading these numbers:
43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31
50 49 48 47 46 45 44
WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THESE LETTERS AND
NUMBERS, LEAVE AT LEAST ONE DAY GAP AND DO THE TEST
OVERLEAF.
19
Test
Unit 3
2. Which word can you make by combining the following letters? Write it, read it
and say what it means:
.................................................................................................. = ب+ز+ح
................................................................................................. = ب+ر+ح
................................................................................................. = د+ح+أ
................................................................................................ = ر+ا+د
(3 points for each word: 1 for writing, 1 for reading and 1 for vocabulary)
3. Can you write and say the word corresponding to each of these pictures?
(3 points for each picture: 1 for writing, 1 for reading, 1 for vocabulary)
1- 2-
3-
20
Unit Four
س ش ص ض
Siin س
Shiin ش
Saad ص
Daad ض
ض,ص,ش,س
3. Go to Alif Baa
Do exercise 4 p. 60, exercise 6 p.6, exercise 8 p. 64 and exercises 13 & 14 p.25
Use CD number 1 to listen.
4. Go to http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArabicTutor/EngFrmset.htm
Click on ‘Letters’ and see these letters.
5. Go to http://www.i-cias.com/babel/arabic/001.htm
Click on 'writing part four' and see how these letters are written.
6. Go to http://www.smilesprod.com/AME.htm.
Click on 'The Arabic alphabet'
Find these letters and click on each of them to know how to write them.
21
8. You can now practice writing these letters too:
................................................................... س
.................................................................. ش
.......................................................................... ص
....................................................................... ض
10. These letters combine with some letters which you have already learnt:
Cause 2K
should ﺹر
against *ﺽ
Witness *هQ
Listen to tape ' al-Arabiyya’ ' and practice reading the words.
. رحQ , رK , ﺽر, ﺹر, ةKأ, M أﺥ, R , N ,K, Q, * ﺽ, * ﺹ-
22
13. Rewrite these words:
15. Go to (Arabic for non Speaker ) %M ﺏ.9NO%65 اJ9P5 )9ﺏJ45( ا1st level) )ى ا(ولR7:05ا
Do exercises p. 73, pp. 84-85 and p. 59.
ARABIC NUMBERS
60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51
WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THESE LETTERS AND
NUMBERS, LEAVE AT LEAST ONE DAY GAP AND DO THE TEST
OVERLEAF.
23
Test
Unit 4
3. Can you write and say the word corresponding to each of these pictures? (3 points
for each picture: 1 for writing, 1 for reading, 1 for vocabulary)
1- 2-
4-
3-
24
Unit Five
ط ظ ع غ
Taa’ ط
Th: aa’ ظ
‘Ayn ع
Ghayn غ
3. Go to http://www.i-cias.com/babel/arabic/001.htm
Click on 'writing part four' and see how these letters are written.
4. Go to Alif Baa
Do exercises 6 & 9 p. 81
Use CD number 2 to listen
...................................... ط
...................................... ظ
...................................... ع
....................................... غ
When you have finished the line, read it.
25
7. These letters combine with letters learnt so far to make words in the Arabic
language:
Across !
Strange 2`ی
Phenomenon هة/
Plane ةa
Listen to tape ' al-Arabiyya’ ' and practice reading the words.
8. Go to Standard Arabic
Do exercise 5 p. 12.
12. (1st level) ى ا(ولR7:05( اArabic for non Speaker ) %M ﺏ.9NO%65 اJ9P5 )9ﺏJ45ا
Do exercises pp. 86-87, p. 88, and p.78.
.ﻥd یJ
أ
`*ا ا
.ef$) !*ي
.h,N
`" ا
. f
هة ا/ زادت
. `ﻥJ
ة اad
رت ا
26
14. You have learnt about joining letters to write words. You are now ready to
join words to make sentences. Read the following information.
15. Go to http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArabicTutor/EngFrmset.htm
Click on 'sentences'
18. Go to http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArambicTutor/MenuEng.htm.
Click on 'sentences'.
ARABIC NUMBERS
19. Go to http://www.travlang.com/languages/cgi-bin/langchoice.cgi
70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61
27
ARABIC DAYS
Saturday !:5ا
Sunday /1(ا
Monday .96"(ا
Tuesday ء%"[<5ا
Wednesday ء%4ا(رﺏ
Thursday \90]5ا
Friday )40^5ا
23. Go to http://www.islamic-
knowledge.com/Learning_Arabic/Vocabulary/Days_Months_Time.htm.
Click on 'days'.
WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THESE LETTERS AND
NUMBERS, LEAVE AT LEAST ONE DAY GAP AND DO THE TEST
OVERLEAF.
28
Test
Unit 5
2. Which word can you make by combining the following letters? Write it, read it
and say what it means:
....................... = ح+ ر+ ط-
........................ = ر+ ا+ ب+ غ-
........................ = ر+ ا+ ط+ ا-
............................. = ر+ب+ع-
(3 points for each word: 1 for writing, 1 for reading and 1 for vocabulary)
3. Can you write and say the word corresponding to each of these pictures? (3 points
for each picture: 1 for writing, 1 for reading, 1 for vocabulary)
1- 2- 3-
4- 5-
29
4. Write sentences using these words.
30
Unit Six
ف ق ك ل م
Faa’ ف
Qaaf ق
Kaaf ك
Laam ل
Miim م
1. Go to Very Simple Arabic Script
Read pp. 29-32
م,ل,ك,ق,ف
3. Go to http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArabicTutor/EngFrmset.htm
Click on ‘letters’ and see these letters.
4. Go to Alif Baa
Do drill 15 p. 115
Use CD number 2 to listen.
6. Alefon Ba’on
- Click on ‘alphabet’: find each of the letters from this unit and click on it to
hear it pronounced in various positions inside a word.
- Go to 'Games', click on 'Sentence Composition': find how you write a sentence
using words.
31
7. You can now practice writing these letters too:
...................................... ف
...................................... ق
....................................... ك
....................................... ل
......................................... م
Stand up 8i ,ki
Stop 8آ
Mouth kT
Speak k2آ
Tell Vi
King l2ﻡ
9. Standard Arabic
Exercise 6 p. 13
............................... m) .................. lk
32
12. Alif Baa
Drills 5, p. 103 & 15 p. 115
13. (1st level) ى ا(ولR7:05( اArabic for non Speaker ) %M ﺏ.9NO%65 اJ9P5 )9ﺏJ45ا
Exercises pp. 63, 68-69 & 89.
14. Which sentences can you make by combining the following words?
15 Go to http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArabicTutor/EngFrmset.htm
Click on ‘sentences’.
ARABIC NUMBERS
.85, 84 , 83, 82, 81, 80, 79, 78, 77, 76, 75, 74, 73, 72, 71
WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THESE LETTERS AND
NUMBERS, LEAVE AT LEAST ONE DAY GAP AND DO THE TEST
OVERLEAF:
33
Test
Unit 6
(3 points for each word: 1 for writing, 1 for reading and 1 for vocabulary)
3. Can you write and say the word corresponding to each of these pictures?
(3 points for each picture: 1 for writing, 1 for reading, 1 for vocabulary)
1-
2- 3-
34
4. Fill the gaps using the words in the list:
35
Unit Seven
ي ن و
Noun ن
Haa’
Waaw و
Yaa’ ي
3. Alif Baa
Do drill 9, p.132
Use CD number 2 to listen .
4. Go to http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArabicTutor/EngFrmset.htm
Click on ‘letters’.
36
6. You can now practice writing these letters too:
................................. ن
.................................. p
..................................... و
........................................ ي
Light ر:ﻥ
He :ه
Where أی
Forbidden .Pﻥ
8. Standard Arabic
Exercise 6 p. 13.
. l وه, وه, ه, ى: ﻥ, ي: ی, اء: ه, : ه, ن: ﺡ-
37
12. (1st level) ى ا(ولR7:05( اArabic for non Speaker ) %M ﺏ.9NO%65 اJ9P5 )9ﺏJ45ا
Exercises pp. 86-87, p. 88, and p. 78.
15. Go to http://www.omniglot.com/writing/arabic.htm.
Click on ‘up to 4 letters words’ and practise spelling and writing them.
16. Which sentences can you make by combining the following words?
ARABIC NUMBERS
100, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 86
WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THESE LETTERS AND
NUMBERS, LEAVE AT LEAST ONE DAY GAP AND DO THE TEST
OVERLEAF:
38
Test
Unit 7
3. Can you write and say the word corresponding to each of these pictures? (3 points
for each picture: 1 for writing, 1 for reading, 1 for vocabulary)
1- 2- 3-
.ة/یJG----------------w6 ﻡ.3
.ةJ^ﺵ-----------/0I ﻡ.4
39
KEY
Unit 1
Exercise 16
. ر%!'( ا (ذا*) ا#!+ -
.-' أ. ﺏ اﺏ%" -
./01 ) أ23 %45 ا6!+ -
. ر%7 ﺏ89:5 ا-
Test’s Answer:
Unit 2
Exercise 8:
. ال ﺥ
ی-
." ! ا
ب#$ -
. % یu %&
ا-
.* و
* )(دب, أﺡ-
../ ﺥب-
.ل,
د ا$ ا-
40
Test’s Answer
:2
pilgrim(n) . ﺡج:1-2
Sunday(n) or Some one(n) . * أﺡ: 2-2
New(n) . ﺥ:3-2
Researcher(n) . 3 ﺡ: 4-2
: 3
Apple(n) . .ح%{+ : 1-3
Sea (n) . JI ﺏ: 2-3
Research(n) . #I ﺏ: 3-3
________________________________________________________________________
Unit 3
Exercise 9:
.
ی
ا-
.ﺡ ر :;
ا-
..ذآ *
:
ا-
.=أ ا>رز-
..أﺥ زرت-
Test’s Answer
:2
Party(n) . ﺡب: 1-2
41
Home or House(n) . دار: 4-2
:3
Home (n) . دار: 1-3
Unit Four
Exercise 8:
Test’s Answer
:2
Magic(n) . JI ﺱ: 1-2
42
:3
Coast(n) . V1% ﺱ: 1-3
.
Unit 5
Exercise 12:
.ﻥd یJ
• أ
`*ا ا
.ef$) • !*ي
.h,N
• `" ا
. f
هة ا/ • زادت
. `ﻥJ
ة اad
•
رت ا
Test’s Answers
:2
Threw(v) or Raised(v) . حJO : 1-2
:3
Eye(n) . .9* : 1-3
43
:4
. رة%9:5 ا/01رآ; أ .5
. ;9!O /0Iﻡ .6
. ب%7j5ذ ا%7أ ا(ﺱJi .7
.)9ﺏJ45) اP25ن ا%61 رس/+ .8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 6
Exercise 15
)5%N05أت اJi .1
l205ء ا%G .2
;5%O /01أ .3
)!5%O رة%ﺱ .4
Test’s Answer
2:
Barely(n) . }0i : 1-2
3:
Scissor(n) . oN ﻡ: 1-3
:4
.رة%9:5ا .1
.ء%05ا .2
.o90N5ا .3
.م%4p5ا .4
44
________________________________________________________________________
Unit 7
Exercise 13
.انRM5% ﺏJ4q یJs% ﻥ-1
. ةJ3%p5ت اR ه-2
J0 ال ﻥuآJ ی-3
Exercise 14
ر%1 R^5ا .1
رد%اء ﺏRM5ا .2
/5R5 اlIv .3
;5%p5 ا8iو .4
Test’s answer
:2
Intended(v) .ىR ﻥ: 1-2
:3
Present(n) . )ی/ ه: 1-3
:4
.بJq+ .1
.;آJی .2
.أJN+ .3
.kﺱJی .4
45
Useful Links
1. http://www.i-cias.com/babel/arabic/001.htm.
This link helps to know the Arabic letters and how to communicate.
2. http://www.ukindia.com/zar1.htm.
This link helps the student how to read Arabic.
3. http://www.lootah.sch.ae/ArabicTutor/EngFrmset.htm
This link is designed for non Arab; it contains letters words, sentences and
conversation.
4. http://www.arabic2000.com/arabic/alphabet.html
This Link is useful to know the Arabic Alphabet.
5. http://www.damascus-online.com/guide/phrases.htm.
This link gives the student the phrases which use in Middle East (numbers, time,
greetings, in town, in the hotel, and in the restaurant.
6. http://www.al-bab.com/arab/language/learn.htm.
Where to learn Arabic?
7. http://www.smilesprod.com/AME.htm.
The Arabic Alphabet, reading and writing.
8. http://afl.ajeeb.com.
How to spell and write the Arabic letters.
9. http://www.cecilmarie.web.prw.net/arabworld/arabic/.
This link has common expression, numbers, colours, vegetables, fruits…..
10. http://www2.unl.ac.uk/~sab037/ab/arabic.htm.
Learning Arabic in Syria.
11. http://languagenetwork.tripod.com/arabic_instruction.htm.
Arabic Language on Book, Audio Cassette, Tape, Video ET.
12. http://www.cafe-syria.com/Alphabet.htm.
Useful Arabic Alphabet Applet.
13. http://www.funwitharabic.com/alphabet.html.
The Arabic Alphabet.
14. http://www.omniglot.com/writing/arabic.htm.
Arabic Script.
46
15. http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/hello/arabic.html.
Arabic Alphabet.
16. http://www.links-guide.ru/sprachen/afrikanistik/arabic-index.html#vocab.
A good in formations about learning Arabic..
17. http://www.speakalanguage.com/arabic/welcome.htm
18. http://www.islamic-
knowledge.com/Learning_Arabic/Vocabulary/Days_Months_Time.htm.
Good to know some vocabulary.
19. http://www.islamic-
knowledge.com/Learning_Arabic/Vocabulary/Colors_Shapes.htm.
20. http://www.islamic-
knowledge.com/Learning_Arabic/Vocabulary/Fruits_Veggies.htm.
21. http://www.islamic-knowledge.com/Learning_Arabic/Vocabulary/Numbers.htm.
22. http://www.alrashidmall.com/learn-arabic.ht.
Greetings, Pronunciation, Questions………
23. http://www.geocities.com/WallStreet/3500/
47
Resources
1. Arabic for non Speakers (%M ﺏ.9NO%65 اJ9P5 )9ﺏJ45)ا, Language Centre,
University of Jordan.Amman, 2001.
Note: all these resources are available in the Open Access Centre, Language
Centre, Elvet Riverside, Durham University.
48